Frequently Asked Questions

The Women of Wisdom® Conference Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

THE COUNTRY: Portugal – The Enduring Appeal

Portugal keeps all of its charms shielded behind its jagged coast – a line of sand and foam caressed by the sea breezes. Cloaked in an air of mystery that has lasted for more than 800 years, this country is genuinely diverse, and it is here that all of the most intriguing dualities become inextricably intertwined: past and present, a long cultural heritage and the simple joy of living.

A place of sun and sea, history and cosmopolitanism, Portugal’s rich collection of monuments brings great charm to the nation’s life and provide a contrast with the lightness of its inhabitants’ relaxed and carefree spirit. With its unique geographical location and its distinctive Atlantic flavour, the West Coast invites visitors to enjoy the pleasures of nature, beaches, gastronomy and entertainment. In this land filled with sunlight, an inexhaustible source of energy, the past reinforces the sense of the present. In the midst of medieval castles and modern shops, Roman, Gothic and Manueline monuments, beaches with deep blue seas and rolling green

THE LOCATION: CASCAIS & THE ESTORIL COAST

Described by many as one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe and the stage of many world famous events, Cascais & the Estoril Coast are the first tourist region in Portugal. The proximity of Lisbon allied to all the Natural Beauty and glamour that are part of Cascais & the Estoril Coast, make this a sea of possibilities and a destination of a thousand sensations.

The fame and reputation of this romantic region, lapped by the Atlantic Ocean dates back to the late nineteenth century, when it was chosen by the royals and nobles of Europe to locate a second home. This legacy is an added value feature for selecting this region either for business or leisure. A region with a long tradition of hospitality and long accustomed to welcoming visitors. A safe haven for refugees, writers, poets, musicians, heads of state and a people in general who fled from their homes during World War II, such as the famous spy and writer Ian Fleming. The current King of Spain also spent his childhood here, as well as the Counts of Barcelona, King Humberto II of Italy, Charles II of Romania and Simeon II of Bulgaria, King Regent Miklós Horthy of Hungary as well as countless other figures who played important roles in their time and have left their marks and imprints on the destination, both culturally and historically.

What is the Portugal Time Zone? GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

What is the official language? The official language is Portuguese although English and French are widely spoken and Spanish and Italian are generally understood.

Currency and Banking? The unit of currency is the Euro (€). Some banks have automatic exchange machines. Reception in most hotels will change money and they are entitled to charge a small extra amount to cover fluctuation exchange rates. Traveller cheques and Eurocheques are accepted by all Portuguese banks and exchange bureaus. Visa, Amex, Eurocard, Diner Club and Master Card are the most useful credit cards. ATMs, known as “Multibanco”, are abundant and very easy to find.

Health? There are no special health requirements, with the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic, at the present there are no special health requirements. Clinics and hospitals provide 24 hour emergency services

Emergency Phone Numbers? For Police and Ambulance emergency dial 112.

Safety? Portugal is a safe country to visit, and some basic common sense will go a long way. There are no internal conflicts, no terrorism-related danger and violent crime is not a problem.

Opening Hours? Banks: Are open from 08:30 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, closing on public holidays. Shops: From 09:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. and03:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m. (working days). On Saturdays most shops close at 01:00 p.m., even though there are some open in the afternoon. Shopping Centres: are open from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. or midnight, every day of the week.

Electricity? Electrical current is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz, with a continental round pin plug. All sockets follow European standards. To use American-type plugs, a 230-volt transformer should be used together with an adapter plug.

Smoking? With effect from 1 January 2008, smoking is forbidden in almost all indoor public places, with the exception of some restaurants and bars that can designate a percentage of their space for smokers. Smoking will not be permitted indoors in the meeting area. Non-compliance with this ban can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to 1.000,00 €uros.

Gastronomy? In Portugal, you will find the finest Mediterranean cuisine, including an healthy diet of olive oil, vegetables, fresh salad, cheese varieties, fresh fruits, delicious fish (which includes the “Bacalhau”, a dried and salted Codfish which is prepared in 1001 ways) and shellfish dishes..Young and innovative chefs have reinvented Portuguese cuisine, with interesting and refined ways of preparing traditional dishes. As a country with a rich winemaking tradition, Portuguese are known for pairing food and wines. To round off the rich and varied gastronomy, soak up the local atmosphere. Discover cafés that serve as a meeting point and sample some of the excellent local sweets and pastries, including the famous custard tarts – “Pastéis de Belém”, in Lisbon.

Gratuities? Gratuities are optional, but a 10% addition to the bill is customary in taxis, restaurants and bars.

Communications? Telephones – There are public telephone booths available where coins or phone cards can be used. Phone cards are available from the shops of Portugal Telecom, post offices, kiosks and selected tobacconists. All Portuguese phone numbers are composed of 9 digits. To call Portugal from abroad, you need to dial the international code 00 plus Portugal’s country code 351. To call abroad from Portugal, dial 00, followed by the country code, the city code and the number required. The various country codes are displayed in public telephones.

Mobile phones – There are three mobile networks – TMN, Vodafone and Optimus – which have roaming agreements with most international companies and provide good national coverage.

Internet – Paid Internet access is available in some cafes and post offices. In many hotels and public spaces such as airports, congress halls, restaurants, service stations and shopping centres, there are duly indicated “wireless” or “Wi-Fi” zones, where it is possible to obtain wireless Internet access.

Museums? Most of the Museums are closed on Mondays, public holidays and open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10h00 to 17h00. National Museums and Monuments are free of charge on Sundays.

When should I arrive? If you would like to participate in any pre-event tours taking place on March 3rd, 2015, the latest you should arrive is the day before, March 2nd, 2015.

How long should I stay? If you are also interested in the cultural aspect and tours, we recommend a WEEK to participate in the full conference and pre and post meeting tours. Pre meeting tours are being planned for March 3rd (if you arrive before that, the team at CPL Events will create a special tour package just for you!) Post event tours will take place on March 7th and 8th. So if you arrive on March 2nd and leave on March 9th you will not miss a thing!

What’s included in the different delegate registrations? There are four different options for registering – Full Delegate, Full-time student, Accompanying Persons and One-day registration. Full delegate, student and accompanying person registration includes All programme events, luncheons, networking coffees, cultural visits and dinners noted in the agenda. Pre and post event tours will be an additional fee and will be listed on the website by February 15th. For a complete list of Delegate options, please visit the Registration page here: www.WomenofWisdomConference.com/register/Please note that early registration has been extended thru January 26th.

When will tours take place? March 3, March 7th and March 8th. The team at CPL will also customize tour packages for those ariving before March 3rd and staying past March 8th.

What type of tours are planned? You will have the opportunity to visit Lisbon, the capital of Portugal; Cascais, the picturesque seaside community where the original James Bond Film Casino Royale was filmed, Sintra (a favourite with Portuguese nobility) and many other historic sites while visiting Portugal.

How do I get to the Cascais Miragem Hotel from the Lisbon Airport? From Lisbon airport, you’re just 20-minute drive, by car or taxi through the motorway (A5), from Cascais. Alternatively you can take the underground from the airport to Cais do Sodré, and there you can take the scenic train which travels along the coast from Lisbon (Cais do Sodré) to Cascais. Private transfers from and to the Lisbon airport will be organized upon requests. To book a transfer, please contact the Conference Secretariat by email joana@cplevents.pt.

What is the VAT and does it apply to me? VAT is a special assessment (tax) that event planners are required to collect. If you do not have VAT number, please contact the conference secretariat at joana@cplevents.pt

Where are other delegates coming from? As of January 12, 2015 We have women (and men) attending from Portugal, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Austria, England, France, Venezuela, Brazil, Australia and the USA.

I need help with the online registration? Who do I contact? For additional assistance with registration, please contact Joana Ramalho via email at joana@cplevents.pt

I would like to be a speaker at the event? Is there still time to submit a proposal? Deadline for speaker submission was December 31, 2014. We would be delighted to consider you for future events. We do still have openings for delegates and sponsors. Sponsors will have the opportunity to address the delegation during the meeting.

My company would like to be a sponsor. In addition to the sponsor packet is there anything else that could help us make that decision? The women and men attending this event are coming from many parts of the world including Portugal, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Austria, England, France, Venezuela, Brazil, Australia and the USA. In addition, there will be dignitaries from Portugal attending and addressing our delegates. Attendees are influential, high-achieving business and professional women, who use technology to run/manage their businesses. If your target audience is global and/or you have a product or service that women need or want, we highly recommend you attend and support The WOW Conference. You can download the Sponsor packet here:www.WomenofWisdomConference.com/sponsors/

My company would like to advertise in the program. Where do I find that information? You can find that information in the Sponsorship Packet (page 5) Inside front cover fee is 500,00€, Back cover is 750,00€ Inside back cover is 500,00€ and 2 center pages are 1.000,00€ (euros). To place an order for an ad contact helena@cplevents.pt or by phone +351 21 400 35 40.

What if I have dietary restrictions? We kindly ask you to contact the Conference Secretariat at joana@cplevents.pt and tell us what kind of allergies you have.

What will the weather be like during the Conference? Portugal has a mild climate without extremes of temperature. Winters are never too cold and summers are always moderately hot. Lisbon climate is strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream and is one of the warmest European capitals. Spring and summer months are usually sunny. The Estoril Coast climate is exceptionally mild. Even in winter, temperatures seldom fall below 10ºC. For the latest weather click on http://www.ipma.pt/en/index.html.

Do I need a Passport or a Visa to travel to Portugal? No visa requirements for EU passport holders. All non-EU citizens should contact their local embassies for specific requirements.

What do I need to do if I need an Official Invitation? An official letter is designed to assist in meeting administrative requirements in some countries and will be sent to any participant upon request. However, this invitation implies no obligation, financial or otherwise, by the W.O.W. (Women of Wisdom®) Conference Organizing Committee. Please send an email to joana@cplevents.pt for more information.